Top legislator Wu Bangguo on Thursday called on joint efforts of China and Japan to boost parliamentary exchanges and promote healthy development of bilateral ties.

Wu made the remarks when meeting with a delegation of Japan's House of Representatives led by Ichiro Aisawa, chairman of the Committee on Rules and Administration of Japan's House of Representatives.

China's National People's Congress (NPC) has always attached great importance to cementing friendly exchanges with the Japanese Diet, he said. China's NPC has launched regular exchange mechanism with both Japanese House of Councilors and the House of Representatives.

"China is ready to work closely with Japan to make full use of the regular exchange mechanism to exchange views on issues of common concern, increase mutual understanding and promote healthy and stable development of bilateral relations," he said.

Wu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, hailed the sound momentum of improving and developing China-Japan ties, adding the resumed high-level exchanges have brought along new progress in bilateral cooperation in various areas. It is welcomed by the two peoples as well as the international community, he added.

"The history and Taiwan issues are two key factors affecting China-Japan relations as well as the political foundation of bilateral ties," Wu said. He called on both sides to stick to the principle of three China-Japan political documents, and properly settle difference.

In response, Ichiro Aisawa said that to abide by the spirit of the three Japan-China political documents is a foundation for stable bilateral ties.

He said Japanese congressmen of various parties are committed to strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation and cement friendship between the two peoples.

The Japanese Diet members are in China to have a regular meeting with China's NPC.

(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2007)